Age group(s) for this birthday party activity:
Preschool and Younger
Elementary School

Cost of birthday party activity:
Cost for cake, Cocoa Puff cereal for "dog food" put in baggies, individual "dog bowls" with each guests name on the side, large pretzel sticks for "fetch", food, any other treats, face paint, dog bone pinata.

Birthday party planning information:
This was really fun for my little two year old who had been asking for a puppy. As the children came in, they were offered face paint to look like a puppy. I used only black and white to simplify. Don't forget the camera!!! I used the Cocoa Puffs (or store brand) cereal put into individual baggies with a "monogrammed" bowl for each child. I bought white, generic, dip bowls from a local party store for these. I put a large pretzel "fetching stick" and various other "doggie" treats in their "doggie bags". For the cake, I used a large round cake for the head and cut a heart shaped cake down the middle for the ears, placing them on the sides. I used the same design that I used for the kids' faces. The frosting...Chocolate!!! I also made a "doggie bone" pinata by cutting out the shape and using more cardboard to flex around the sides. Start by joining it together with masking tape, cover with paper mache, then with white tissue paper. I've found inanimate pinata shapes are better for younger, more sensitive children. I've had to sell other "really cute" pinatas because the kids became too attached to them.